Method for the predictive operation of a fuel cell or a high-voltage accumulator

Abstract

A method for the predictive operation of a fuel cell or a high-voltage accumulator, involving the steps of: detecting at least one external parameter, the at least one external parameter representing driving behavior data, navigation data and/or environmental data; and adjusting the at least one current desired fuel cell operating parameter on the basis of the at least one external parameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for predictive operation of a fuel cell of a vehicle by a control unit of the vehicle programmed to execute the method, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting at least one external parameter with a vehicle sensor system, wherein the at least one external parameter represents driving behavior information and/or navigation information of the vehicle; 
 predicting, by the control unit, at least one future value of at least one operating parameter of the fuel cell, based on the at least one external parameter, while the fuel cell is currently operated to power the vehicle according to at least one current setpoint for the operating parameter of the fuel cell; and 
 adapting, by the control unit, the current setpoint for the operating parameter of the fuel cell, on the basis of the predicted future value of the operating parameter of the fuel cell. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a setpoint operating parameter is the setpoint moisture content of the fuel cell, and the setpoint moisture content is reduced before the end of a journey. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the setpoint moisture content and/or a duration of the reduction is adapted to take into account a predicted storage location of the fuel cell and/or the predicted ambient temperature. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the setpoint moisture content is adapted to take into account a storage location of the fuel cell. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein before an end of a journey, the setpoint moisture content of the fuel cell is reduced if it is to be assumed that a frost start or cold start is to follow. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a change in the at least one setpoint operating parameter is based on a predicted load range and a dynamic requirement. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell, and/or a fuel cell system comprising the fuel cell, functions itself as a buffer for moisture and/or cooling capacity for a predictive operating mode of the fuel cell. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein before predicted operation of the fuel cell in an upper load range for an uphill journey:
 the setpoint operating temperature of the fuel cell is lowered and/or additional cooling capacity which is not necessary for the instantaneous operation is made available and is buffered in a cooling system of the fuel cell system, and/or 
 additional moisture which is not necessary for the instantaneous operation is introduced into the fuel cell and is buffered in the fuel cell. 
 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 in the case of predicted operation in an upper load range of the fuel cell: 
 the setpoint temperature of the fuel cell and/or a maximum nitrogen oxide partial pressure at the anode are/is reduced, and/or 
 the setpoint moisture content of the fuel cell and/or the setpoint fuel partial pressure at the anode are/is increased, and/or 
 in the case of predicted operation in a lower load range of the fuel cells 
 the setpoint temperature of the fuel cell and/or the maximum nitrogen oxide partial pressure at the anode are/is increased, and/or 
 the setpoint moisture content of the fuel cell and/or the setpoint fuel partial pressure at the anode are/is reduced. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein for the predictive operation of the fuel cell various operating modes are provided, wherein at least two operating modes in at least one characteristic curve differ for at least one setpoint operating parameter, and
 wherein the various operating modes are provided for various load ranges and various dynamic requirements, and wherein an operating mode of the fuel cell is selected as a function of a predicted load range and a predicted dynamic requirement. 
 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one predicted operating parameter comprises a predicted load range and a predicted dynamic requirement. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one external parameter further presents environmental information. 
     
     
       13. A method for operating a motor vehicle by a control unit of the vehicle programmed to execute the method, wherein the method comprises:
 detecting at least one external parameter with a vehicle sensor system, wherein the at least one external parameter represents driving behavior information and/or navigation information of the vehicle; 
 predicting, by the control unit, at least one future value of at least one operating parameter of the fuel cell, based on the at least one external parameter, while the fuel cell is currently operated to power the vehicle according to at least one current setpoint for the operating parameter of the fuel cell; and 
 adapting, by the control unit, the current setpoint for the operating parameter of the fuel cell, on the basis of the predicted future value of the operating parameter of the fuel cell. 
 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 adapting a ratio of the setpoint capacity of the fuel cell to the setpoint capacity of a high-voltage accumulator as a function of the at least one external parameter. 
 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein
 the ratio of the setpoint capacity of the fuel cell to the setpoint capacity of the high-voltage accumulator is adapted as a function of the operating mode of the fuel cell and/or of the storage location. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , comprising the step of:
 reducing consumption and/or switching off at least one energy consumer. 
 
     
     
       17. The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein an energy consumer is a passenger-compartment air conditioning system of the vehicle, and in the case of predicted operation in an upper load range, a capacity of the passenger-compartment air conditioning can already be reduced or switched off before operation in the upper load range, with the result that more cooling capacity can be fed to the at least one fuel cell. 
     
     
       18. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one predicted operating parameter comprises a predicted load range and a predicted dynamic requirement. 
     
     
       19. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one external parameter further presents environmental information.